|
how to install Clean Windows XP (Interactive Setup)
| |
| Saifi | Date: Tuesday, 2010-01-19, 6:32 PM | Message # 1 |
 Member
Group: Administrators
Messages: 22
Status: Offline
| ____K1||3R____ It's a hassle for a variety of reasons, but sometimes clean installing Windows is the best bet. This is doubly true of XP, especially if you were previously running a Windows 9x-based OS. The upgrade procedure works, and works well, but it still leaves your hard drive littered with the remains of the past, wasting valuable disk space and making it difficult to tell which files are OK to delete and which should be left alone. A clean installation of XP will also give you the best results, performance-wise. The downside, of course, is that you're starting fresh and will have to reinstall all of your applications, backup and restore all of your data, and re-do all of your personal settings. There are tools that will help you overcome these issues (see the pre-installation checklist below), but in some ways it's still a good idea to make that clean break with XP, especially for the 9x crowd. This is because XP is so different that you might want to spend time using it in its default set up. I suspect that many people won't want to change a thing if they just give it a chance.
In any event, this is my preferred method for installing any Windows OS and I recommend it for XP specifically. Before you install XP, there are several things to consider.
1. Check system requirements - As noted in my overview to this Installation and Upgrade Super Guide, Microsoft's minimum requirements for Windows XP are a Pentium 233 MHz processor and 64 MB of RAM. I find this to unrealistic, however, and believe you'll get the best performance with a 500 MHz or higher CPU and 256 MB of RAM or more. Remember that memory is not only cheap, but the simplest way to improve XP's performance: If you are wondering about a CPU upgrade, I'd try the RAM first.
Other system requirements include 1.5 GB of available hard drive space, a Super-VGA (800 x 600) or higher resolution monitor and video card, a CD-ROM or DVD-drive, and a keyboard and mouse. Optional components include a networking adapter and/or modem, and a sound card and speakers. You should try and run XP at 1024 x 768 or higher resolution with 24-bit color, if possible. The default onscreen elements are bigger and more colorful than those in Windows 9x/Me/2000.
2. Make sure your hardware and software is compatible - The Windows XP CD-ROM includes hardware and software checking capabilities, but you can download the Upgrade Advisor before purchasing XP to make sure that your devices and applications will work before taking the plunge. I highly recommend that you do so. For more information, see my showcase, Using the Windows XP Upgrade Advisor. This will explain what you can do about recalcitrant hardware and software, though Microsoft is constantly updating XP's compatibility through Windows Update as well.
If u love me then jst love me dnt expect anythng more D()Nt Tak3 Panga With ___K1||3R___
|
| |
| |
| Saifi | Date: Tuesday, 2010-01-19, 6:33 PM | Message # 2 |
|
Member
Group: Administrators
Messages: 22
Status: Offline
|
___K1||3R___ 3. Make sure you can boot with your CD drive - Unlike Windows 9x/Me, the Windows XP CD-ROM is bootable, so you will not need a boot floppy to initiate Setup. However, some PCs don't offer the capability to boot from CD, though this should be rare on the newer systems that can run XP. More likely is that your system can boot from CD but isn't set up to do so. To set up your system to boot from the CD, you'll need to enter the BIOS software and change the boot order. Typically, you will want your system set up to boot from CD, then floppy, then the first hard drive. Check the manual that came with your PC or motherboard for information about entering the BIOS and making this change, if needed.
If you want to test whether your system can boot with the CD, just insert a bootable CD (like your Windows XP CD-ROM) and reboot. If Setup begins or you see a message about hitting any key to boot from the CD, you're all set.
If you can't boot with your CD drive, all is not lost. Microsoft has provided downloadable floppies (in sets of four, sadly) for both XP Home and Professional that you can use to start installation. I'll only be covering a CD boot here, but the process is similar when using floppies. For more information, check out the Microsoft Web site, which has separate pages for the XP Home and XP Professional boot floppies.
4. Consider upgrading your BIOS - Speaking of the BIOS, it's probably a good idea to ensure that you have the latest version before installing XP. This is because XP, like 2000, more strictly follows the ACPI power management specification than Windows 9x/Me, and older BIOSes might make the OS behave strangely (for example, you choose Shut Down and the system reboots instead). Generally, you can download BIOS upgrades from the Web site of the company that made your PC or motherboard.
5. Run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard - If you'd like to backup the files and settings from your previous Windows install, try the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard, which is detailed in this showcase. This optional but handy tool can save you a lot of time if you'd like XP to function like your previous installation.
6. Backup your data - Unless you're installing XP to a brand new PC, you're probably going to want to backup all of your data. The XP install will usually format the C: drive at least, and will do other bizarre things to your other drives, if present, if you let it. Backup, backup, and backup again. There's nothing worse than performing a clean install and then discovering that you just wiped out four years worth of data (and yes, I did this once).
7. If using an Upgrade CD, be sure to have qualifying media - If you're performing a clean installation of XP Home or Professional using an Upgrade CD, be sure to have your qualifying media handy. This can be a retail Windows 98, 98 SE, Millennium Edition (Me), NT 4.0 or 2000 CD-ROM or, in some cases, a Windows CD that was supplied with a new PC. Note that "restore" CDs will not work, however, and most Windows CDs that ship from PC makers are now restore CDs.
OK, let's clean install XP.
Step-by-Step: Clean installing Windows XP (Interactive Setup)
Installing Windows XP is a straightforward process, with few interactive requirements. One nice thing Microsoft did with this release was put all of the data entry right at the beginning, so you can actually get up and walk away from your computer for about half an hour. This contrasts sharply with Windows 95, 98, and NT 4.0, where you basically have to baby-sit the installation.
Note that the XP Home and Pro Setup procedure is subtly different. I'll make it obvious when certain steps are for Pro- or Home-only.
If u love me then jst love me dnt expect anythng more D()Nt Tak3 Panga With ___K1||3R___
|
| |
| |
|
